So today I do my daily run of Timmy’s and end up with my usual morning large steeped tea with a plain toasted and buttered bagel. Nothing unusual for any regular 9-to-5er.

And just as ordinarily enough, my order came to $2.29 and just as ordinarily I handed the lady in the drive thru window my $2.30 expecting a penny in return.

Instead, I get this.

Looks pretty similar to a Canadian penny, but it really isn’t. This is what I should have recieved.

The difference between the two is that one is a Canadian 1 cent coin, and the other a Pakistan 1 rupee coin.
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I recently read an article in the newspaper talking about how the unemployment rate in Toronto has dropped, there was a big surge of jobs in June that took care of all our poor, unemployed schlubs. Except for me, that is.

I’ve been looking for work in the big city for two months now and haven’t found anything.

I’m forced to spend my days playing Zuma. Ok, sometimes it’s Half Life 2, or Painkiller, Doom 3 or Return to Wolfenstein, but most of the time it’s Zuma, because it’s faster loading and exiting. I’ve gotten pretty good at this game.

My point (yes there is one), is that it’s hard enough to get an interview, never mind the dreaded second interview. And I’m a basket-case on interviews too. Although I know my skills, I can never seem to sell myself to a potential employer.

And, in Toronto, they’ve got their pick of the possible 3 million unemployed others to choose from… why pick me?

Do you think that my newly-formed Zuma skills might help sell me?

While driving this morning, I heard on the radio the low-energy usage advisory for Toronto.

They are asking everyone to set their AC on no more then 27 C (80 F) and that all dishwashing with a dishwasher and laundry be done after 10pm and before 8am.

This will decrease the chances of rolling blackouts as yesterday, they needed to borrow energy from an outside source.

I’m all for not even using my dishwasher. And for the rest of this summer, while the heat waves are on, I’ll do laundry after 10pm, doing only one load per night for two nights instead of two loads like I normally do one after another (my darks and my whites).

Yes, I’m willing to do this.

But to set my AC at 27 C? What would be the point? Our house is horrbily difficult to cool off. Even with the AC on full blast, we hardly ever get lower then 25 C during the hottest part of the day.

27 C my ass. it will be the last resort.

However, I do know a lot of Torontorians who feel that they can’t survive unless their house is at least 20/21 C in the summer. And that is just ridiculous. Even if we weren’t have such a warning on power usage.

I think it’s not a bad thing to take this opporunity and practice energy conservation. We definitely take it for granted and like any resource, it should be used within moderate amounts.

Dinosaur jr did not dissapoint. It was Lou Barlow’s Birthday and despite his sickness he and the trio played one of the loudest, greatest shows I’ve ever scene. (Yes I’m a huge Dinosaur fan but hey they really RAWKED, especially on songs they have never played live before).
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Definitely in for a music packed weekend. Got to see my friend rock out for the the kids at AVRIL’s ACC show. Good to catch up backstage but had to jet and get my tired “suit” self to sleep. No energy for the BOVINE (where RAMMER was supposed to play).

Well for me my MUSIC weekend will be capped by the Dinosaur show at the Phoenix Sunday. J, Lou Barlow and Murph… The original line up. Should be good and of course LOUD. Like the PIXES they helped shape the “alternative scene”. If you can stand the HIGH DECIBAL GUITAR RAWK you best get your ticket and FAST… 6pm show start ($35)

I was looking at a map of Mississauga, to find bike trails, and found a large patch of green space on the map. It turned out to be Erindale Park, north off Dundas just east of Mississauga Road. I threw my bike in the back of my Civic one afternoon and headed out to the park. The trail stretches from Dundas, northward to past the 403, more than a city block in distance. I spent a happy hour or so cycling through forest, on a bike path. I saw many critters in the park, including a pair of deer. There were many picnickers there, and anglers trying their luck in the Credit River. For history buffs, there are little info displays that tell how that part of the river was once dammed off to generate electricity, and how the green area of the main park was once the reservoir.

(It’s 4.52 instead of 4 because I simply just don’t like the number ‘4′)

The Good…

The rain. It finally came down today. Though short, it did give a sudtle relief. I drove home from work feeling a cooler breeze rush through my car window.

The Bad…

Too many strikes. It seems as if Toronto is plagued with one municipal service strike after another. While such strikes are suppose to serve a purpose (and sometimes, a justified purpose), I’m simply tired of hearing about it. It’s now desensitized many people to the point where there’s no more sympathy for those going on strike. It’s just going over-board. And the entire concept has been taking advantage of. Even pushed to the limits. Personally, I don’t give a rat’s ass for their causes anymore.

The Ugly Beautiful…

It’s not that I can’t find something ‘ugly’ to say about Toronto. But for today, I wish to combat one bad with two goods. Perhaps playing the optimistic card - which I seldom do.

Even though it’s been extremely hot and sticky, once the sun starts to set, the evenings are quite warm and relaxing. I’ve been sitting on my front steps with a tall glass of iced tea… The long, hot and busy day of our city seems to attract people to the comforts of AC. With all those inside, it’s quieter these days. A perfect way to end a day or week with some quiet time to oneself.

firebulb

Originally uploaded by swoononeone.

Feeling rather spoiled despite my OT hours these past few days. At least I’ve been able to escape the brutality of high noon in the midst of heat advisories in sinful AC. Hoping that it does FINALLY rain on Thursday to take some edge off once the weekend starts! I do want to play outside and while the sun is still up.

For the brave the outdoor skateboard park just south of Bathurst and Dundas is almost complete. Walked by there the other day. Well designed. Would not be a bad place to go consider there is a pool nearby too…

Well the firebulb will keep burning. Take care…

Everyone knows this may just be the hottest summer EVAR. Now what?!

Well here are your options:

Go to the JazzFest and chug back a few.

Go for a dip in one of many swimming pools across Toronto or hang out in the cooling centres.

(Photo courtesy The Sun)

Take your top off by the lakeside and veg out as this cyclist above did.

Go to Toronto Island on the ferry and get the grill going with some corn and burgers.

Go hang out at the clothing optional beaches and let it all sweat.

What are you guys doing to stay cool?